Choice Words by Freedom to Choose Schools

About Choice Words by Freedom to Choose Schools

Choice Words is the official podcast of Freedom to Choose Schools. Hosted by executive director Jay Artis-Wright, each episode elevates the voices of the radical middle nonpartisan thinkers, educators, and families who believe in putting parents first. From homeschooling and micro-schools to charter and cyber schools, Choice Words dives deep into how leaders and families of color are navigating school choice and driving innovation. This show challenges the myth that parents and people of color lack knowledge about education, highlighting their stories, expertise, and power to drive change.

Publisher

Freedom To Choose Schools

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Jul 2025

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Major Crises, Small Solutions: Rethinking the Politics of Education.

   Can Democrats win back parents on education? Former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, CEO of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), says it starts with fighting for families instead of systems. Host Jay Artis-Wright sits down with Jorge to unpack the difference between policy and politics in education, and why so many Democratic lawmakers now avoid K-12 altogether. Jorge shares what he learned trying to transform Providence's public schools as a two-term mayor, why the problems in struggling districts are structural rather than a lack of effort, and why he defines public education as a goal (an educated public), not a fixed set of institutions. They dig into the party's "purity tests," the political power of teachers unions, and the growing number of "choice-curious" Democrats, from caucus chairs to gubernatorial candidates, quietly reaching out for new ideas. Jorge makes the case for letting money follow the child through education savings accounts, micro-schools, and unbundled learning, and lays out what candidates heading into 2028 need to show voters: that they will fight for working families. Topics include: Democrats and school choice, education reform, charter schools, education savings accounts (ESAs), teachers unions and politics, NAEP scores, micro-schools, the 2028 election, and the future of public education. Learn more about DFER at dfer.org. Join the movement at chooseschools.org. #FightToChoose

2. 

   17 Sept 2026

   The School Where Kindergartners Run Their Own Businesses | Dr. Wayne Jones

   Can a kindergartner learn to run a business? At Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh, the answer is yes. In this episode of Choice Words, host Jay sits down with Dr. Wayne Jones, CEO of Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship, the only entrepreneurship-focused public charter school in Pennsylvania. Dr. Jones shares how a small group of parents turned a need for better public school options into a K–8 school of over 560 students, where kids don't just learn about business, they run their own ventures, elect their own government, and manage a real student-led economy through the school's signature "Micro Society" program. Dr. Jones also opens up about his own path, from growing up in Pittsburgh public housing, to a scholarship at a private boarding school, to walking away from a job with the Pittsburgh Penguins to lead a school for the lowest salary offer he received. He explains why representation in school leadership matters, how entrepreneurship prepares kids for college, trade careers, or launching their own business, and why he believes every student deserves to see themselves as limitless. In this episode: How Penn Hills Charter School was founded — and grew to 560+ students What entrepreneurship education looks like for a kindergartner Inside the "Micro Society": student-run businesses, governments, and a real classroom economy Why nearly 90% of the student body is Black, and why that's by design Preparing kids for three paths: entrepreneurship, college, or workforce readiness Dr. Jones's own journey from public housing to school leadership Connect with Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship: 🌐 phcharter.org 📱 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn: Penn Hills Charter School Freedom to Choose Schools is on a mission to expand educational freedom for every family. New episodes of Choice Words drop every other week — subscribe so you never miss a conversation with the leaders reshaping education.

3. 

   3 Sept 2026

   Activated Parents, Engaged Detroit: Bernita Bradley's Choice Words

   What happens when a school loses your child, even for 15 minutes? For Bernita Bradley, it was the beginning of a decade-long journey from involved parent to full-time advocate, community organizer, and now school founder. In this episode, host Jay sits down with Bernita, a McLeod Society Fellow, founder of Engage Detroit, and longtime Detroit-based education advocate to talk about what she calls "activated parenting": the shift from showing up to actually understanding and shaping what happens inside your child's school. Bernita shares the story that changed everything, why she believes parents are experts too, not just stakeholders to be managed, and how Engage Detroit grew from 12 families to over 240, all built on a model of parents leading alongside, not behind, educators. They talk about the real difference between being an involved parent and an engaged one, what "practicing choice" means when it's rooted in protecting your child, and why Bernita believes the next generation deserves adults willing to get it right, starting now. This is a conversation about power, partnership, and what's possible when parents refuse to check out.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Choice Words by Freedom to Choose Schools

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.